Plastic Cards

GLOSSARY

Access Control ID Cards
Plastic cards used to gain access to premises
usually associated with magnetic stripe and
proximity cards.

Bar Code
An array of machine-readable rectangular bars and
spaces arranged in a specific way defined in
international standards to represent letters,
numbers and other human-readable symbols.

Biometrics
Biometrics utilize "something you are" to
authenticate identification. This might include
fingerprints, retina pattern, iris, hand geometry,
vein patterns, and voice password or signature
dynamics. Biometrics can be used with a smart card
to authenticate the user. The user's biometric
information is stored on a smart card, the card is
placed in a reader and a biometric scanner reads
the information to match it against that on the
card. This is a fast, accurate and highly secure
form of user authentication.

Composite Card
(Comp or poly-composite card) A polyester core
sandwiched between PVC material. Stronger and more
durable than regular PVC cards, comp cards are
recommended for utilization in high-usage
environments or if lamination is part of one's
particular ID card printing process. (Composition
is 40% polyester/PET and 60% PVC material.)

Contact Smart Card
Contains a single embedded circuit chip that
contains memory, or memory plus a microprocessor.
Contact smart cards must be inserted into a card
acceptor device where pins attached to the reader
make "contact" with pads on the surface of the card
to read and store information in the
chip.

Contactless Smart Card (Proximity card/prox
card)
Contains a chip that is connected to an antenna
(rather than contact pads as in contact smart
cards). The communication between the chip and the
reader is wireless.

Coercivity
A technical term used to designate how strong a
magnetic field must be to affect data encoded on a
magnetic stripe. Coercivity is measured in Oersteds
(Oe). Coercivity is the measure of how difficult it
is to encode information in a magnetic
stripe.

Color Matching
Several color matching options are included with
card printer/encoders. These options are built
directly into the printer driver so they are easily
selected. Colors print with more clarity, detail
and accuracy.

Contact Smart Card Encoder
The contact smart card encoder connects the ISO
contact pins mounted on the e-card docking station
to a Gemplus GemCore 410 smart card coupler mounted
inside the printer. The GemCore 410's digital I/O
is converted to a RS-232 signal which is accessible
to application programs through a dedicated DB-9
port on the outside of the printer labeled "Smart
Card."

Contactless Smart Card
Encoder
The contactless smart card encoder connects an
antenna mounted on the e-card docking station to a
Gemplus GemEasyLink 680SL coupler mounted inside
the printer/encoder. Application programs can
access MIFARE® contactless cards via a RS-232
signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside
of the printer labeled "MIFARE/Contactless."

Corn Card
Manufactured from bio-degradable corn, corn cards
are virtually identical in look and feel to
traditional petroleum-based cards, and provide all
of the same convenience and functionality.

Digital Imaging
Scanning or otherwise capturing images which may be
subsequently edited, filed, displayed or printed on
a plastic card.

Dye Sublimation
Dye sublimation is the print process card
printer/encoders use to print smooth,
continuous-tone, photo-quality images. This process
uses a dye-based ribbon roll that is divided into a
series of color panels. The color panels are
grouped in a repeating series of three separate
colors along the length of the ribbon: yellow,
magenta and cyan (YMC). As the ribbon and card pass
simultaneously beneath the printhead, hundreds of
thermal elements heat the dyes on the ribbon. Once
the dyes are heated, they vaporize and diffuse into
the surface of the card. Varying the heat intensity
of each thermal element within the printhead makes
it possible for each transferred dot of color to
vary saturation. This blends one color into the
next. The result is continuous-tone,
photo-realistic color images.

Edge-to-Edge
Refers to the maximum printable area on a card.
Printer/encoders with edge-to-edge printing
capability can print just to the edge of a card
resulting in printed cards with virtually no
border.

Encryption (as between PC/host driver and
printer)
Encryption is when data is altered so only the
intended recipient can read or make use of it. The
encrypted data can only be decrypted using the
appropriate software or with the correct decryption
key, which will then decipher the data back to its
original state. Provides a level of data security
between the PC/host driver and printer by making
the data between the two unreadable.

FeliCa
The name stands for Felicity Card, a contactless
RFID smart card.

Financial Services Instant Issuance
Printer
A card printer designed for immediate issuance of
debit, credit or prepaid cards. By printing the
card’s text and images on-site, banks can offer
increased customization of the card with features
like personal photos and co-branding logos, and
increase overall card activation and use
rates.

Font
A character set (alphabet and numerals) of a
specified design and size.

G
No terms beginning with this letter are listed in
this glossary.

HiCo
Abbreviation for high coercivity. HiCo magnetic
stripes provide the highest level of immunity to
damage by stray magnetic fields. They are more
difficult to encode than LoCo magnetic stripes
because the encoding requires more power. HiCo
magnetic stripe cards are slightly more expensive
for this reason.

High-Volume Printing
Fast, efficient printing for producing large
quantities of cards with minimal downtime for
supplies loading or maintenance.

High Definition Printing™
(HDP)
The high-definition printing process prints
full-color images onto clear HDP transfer film. The
HDP film is then fused to the card through heat and
pressure via a heated roller. This revolutionary
technology enhances card durability and
consistently produces the best card color
available—even on tough-to-print matte-finished
cards, proximity cards and smart cards.

High-Speed Printing
Card printer/encoders are among the fastest desktop
card printer/encoders in the industry. High-speed
printing allows for more efficient card
production—saving time, money and
resources.

Hologram
A unique photographic printing that provides a
three-dimensional effect on a flat surface.
Holograms cannot be easily copied and are used for
security and aesthetic purposes on cards.

ISO 14443
An international standard that describes how
contactless cards and terminals should work to
ensure industry-wide compatibility and
interoperability for use in identity, security,
payment, mass-transit and access control
applications.

ISO 7816 ISO/IEC 7816
An international standard related to electronic
identification cards with contacts, especially
smart cards, managed jointly by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the
International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC).

Image Capture System
A hardware and software system used to obtain and
save personal data and cardholder photographic
images.

JIS II Magnetic Stripe
Encoder
Japanese Industrial Standard for magnetic stripe
encoding; published and translated into English by
Japan Standards Association.

Lamination
The process of combining lamination material and
core material using time, heat and pressure.
Laminate patches used in card printers come on
rolls, with and without carriers/liners.

LCD Display
The LCD—or Liquid Crystal Display—shows the current
status of the printer and changes according to the
printer's current mode of operation. LCD
communicates an error with text, which is easier to
interpret than LED lights.

Loaner or Hotswap
If your printer is experiencing technical
difficulties or is broken, the loaner (hotswap)
option allows you to send in your broken printer,
and you will receive a functional printer in the
mail while the broken printer is under
repair.

Lockable Hopper
Some card printer/encoders provide a lockable card
hopper door. This lock is intended to help prevent
theft of your blank card stock. This feature is
especially helpful if using valuable card stock
such as preprinted cards, smart cards or cards with
built-in security features such as
holograms.

Magnetic (“Mag”) Stripe
Mag stripe refers to the black or brown magnetic
stripe on a card. The stripe is made of magnetic
particles of resin. The resin particle material
determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher
the coercivity, the harder it is to encode—and
erase—information from the stripe. Magnetic stripes
are often used in applications for access control,
time and attendance, lunch programs, library cards
and more.

Micro Text
This security process involves printing very small
text in a specific location on a card surface. Due
to the difficulty of reproducing micro text in its
original form, the United States government
considers the printing of micro text a valuable
security precaution.

Memory Card
A type of smart card. Also known as a synchronous
card, it features 256 bit or 32 byte memory and is
suitable for use as a token card or identification
card.

MIFARE®
MIFARE refers to one kind of contactless smart card
or chip ID card. The name “MIFARE” is presently a
registered trademark of Philips
Semiconductors.

Microprocessor
Card
A type of smart card, also known as an asynchronous
card. Features 1 kilobyte to 64 Kbytes of memory
and is suitable for portable or confidential files,
identification, tokens, electronic purse, or any
combination of uses.

Monochrome ribbons
Single color ribbons, typically black (K Resin),
but may be offered in other single colors as well
such as red, blue, gold, silver, etc. Always a
Resin material color ribbon panel.

Output Stacker
The output stacker stores printed cards in a
first-in/first-out order. This feature makes it
easy to keep printed cards in a specific order for
faster issuance or to print serialized cards.

Oversized Cards
Oversized cards are used for more efficient visual
identification and are available in many
nonstandard sizes. The most popular sizes are CR-90
(3.63" x 2.37"/92 mm x 60 mm) and CR-100 (3.88" x
2.63"/98.5 mm x 67 mm).

Overlay Panel
The clear overlay panel (O) is provided on dye
sublimation print ribbons. This panel is
automatically applied to printed cards and helps
prevent images from premature wear or UV fading.
All dye sublimation printed images must have either
this overlay panel or an overlaminate applied to
protect them.

Overlay Varnish
A thin transparent layer applied (using the
printhead) to cards to resist scratching and fading
from exposure to UV radiation.

Over-the-Edge
Refers to the maximum printable area on a card.
Printer/encoders with over-the-edge printing
capability can print past the edge of a card
resulting in printed cards with absolutely no
border.

PolyGuard™
A card overlaminate from HID Fargo available in 1
mil and .6 mil thicknesses that provides
extraordinary card protection; ideal for harsh or
more secure environments. Available as clear or
with embedded holographic-type security
images.

Poly-Composite Cards
(Composite, also known as comp cards) A polyester
core sandwiched between PVC material. Stronger and
more durable than regular PVC cards, comp cards are
recommended for utilization in high-usage
environments or if lamination is part of one's
particular ID card printing process. (Composition
is 40% polyester/PET and 60% PVC material.)

Prox Card Encoder
The prox card encoder uses an HID ProxPoint® Plus
reader mounted on the e-card docking station inside
the printer/encoder. The ProxPoint is a "read only"
device producing a Wiegand signal that is converted
to RS-232 using a Cypress Computer Systems
CVT-2232. Application programs can read information
from HID prox cards via a RS-232 signal through a
dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer
labeled "Prox."

Resin Thermal Transfer
Resin thermal transfer is the process used to print
sharp black text and crisp bar codes that can be
read by both infrared and visible-light bar code
scanners. It is also the process used to print
ultra-fast, economical one-color cards. Like dye
sublimation, this process uses a thermal printhead
to transfer color from the ribbon roll to the card.
The difference, however, is that solid dots of
color are transferred in the form of a resin-based
ink which fuses to the surface of the card when
heated. This produces very durable, single-color
images.

Reverse
Transfer
(Re-transfer) ID card printing technique where the
card image is first printed onto a transparent
re-transfer film, which is then stuck onto the card
surface. Re-transfer printing provides high quality
images and provides the ability to print on uneven
card surfaces and/or differing materials.

Reverse Transfer Film
(Re-transfer film) A reverse transfer ID card
printer first transfers information to be printed
onto the card to the underside of a clear ribbon
(the initial dye transfer), then transfers the
printed information from that ribbon onto the card
in such a manner that the information on the card
appears under a protective "release layer" of the
clear ribbon (the re-transfer step). In other
words, card images are transferred (or sublimated)
from the YMCK dye film onto a clear film and then
laminated entirely onto the card.

Resolution
Dimension of the smallest element of an image that
can be printed. Usually stated as dots-per-inch
(dpi).

RFID
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless
technology for communication between electronic
devices. In the ID card industry, it is RFID
technology that enables a contactless smart card to
communicate with a reader.

SDK
Software Development Kit or Software Development
Environment is typically a set of development tools
that allows for the creation of applications for a
certain software package, software framework,
hardware platform, computer system, video game
console, operating system, or similar
platform.

Smart Card
Smart cards have an embedded computer circuit that
contains either a memory chip or a microprocessor
chip. There are several types of smart cards:
Memory, Contact, Contactless, Hybrid (Twin), Combi
(Dual Interface), Proximity and Vicinity.

SmartGuard™ (from HID)
SmartGuard is a printer security option that uses a
custom access card and a built-in reader to
restrict printer access. With this feature, only
those with a valid access card can print cards.
This makes both your printed cards and your overall
system more secure.

SmartShield™ (from HID)
This option allows the printer/encoder to print
custom, reflective security images on the card that
fluoresce under a black or UV light
source.

Teslin® (from PPG
Industries)
A card type made from a synthetic printing medium
and is a waterproof synthetic material that works
well with an inkjet printer, laser printer, or
thermal printer. Teslin is also single-layer,
uncoated film, and extremely strong.

Thermal Printhead
An electronic device which uses heat to transfer a
digitized image from a special ribbon to the flat
surface of a plastic card.

Thermal Printing
The process of creating an image on a plastic card
using a heated printhead.

Thermal Transfer
Overlaminate
A card overlaminate available in a .25 mil
thickness that increases card security and
durability; often used for moderate durability
applications or when additional security (such as
holographic images) are needed.

Topcoat
(Overcoat, overlay) The topcoat (T) panel of a
ribbon is applied to printed cards and helps
prevent images from some premature wear or UV
fading. Topcoats are available as a panel on color
and monochrome ribbons, or provided on a separate
roll in clear or holographic styles.

UHF
(Ultrahigh frequency) Designates a range of
electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 300
MHz and 3 GHz (3,000 MHz). Currently used in UHF ID
cards.

YMC
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan) yellow, magenta and cyan
are the primary print colors for cards. The three
colors are combined in varying degrees to make a
full spectrum of colors.

YMCK
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, monochrome) Yellow, magenta
and cyan are the primary print colors for cards.
The three colors are combined in varying degrees to
make a full spectrum of colors. Monochrome or (K)
is black resin panel.

YMCKH
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, K-Resin, Helper) Yellow,
magenta and cyan are the primary print colors for
cards. The three colors are combined in varying
degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.
Monochrome or (K) is black resin panel and H is
Helper panel (Retransfer printer only) special
panel to aid in the transfer of certain card types
and materials such as polycarbonate,
etc.

YMCKI
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, K-Resin, Inhibit) Yellow,
magenta and cyan are the primary print colors for
cards. The three colors are combined in varying
degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.
Monochrome or (K) is black resin panel and I =
Inhibit panel (Retransfer printer only)—prevents
printing and transfer on certain areas of a card
such as the Mag Stripe or signature
panel.

YMCKK
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, monochrome, monochrome)
Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print
colors for cards. The three colors are combined in
varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.
Monochrome or (K) are black resin panels—the latter
(K) is used for monochrome printing on the back
side of a card.

YMCKT
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, monochrome, Topcoat)
Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print
colors for cards. The three colors are combined in
varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.
Monochrome or (K) is a black resin panel, and the
topcoat panel provides the card with minimal
protection against everyday use and environmental
elements (e.g., UV rays).

YMCKO
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, monochrome, Overcoat)
Yellow, magenta and cyan are the primary print
colors for cards. The three colors are combined in
varying degrees to make a full spectrum of colors.
Monochrome or (K) is a black resin panel, and clear
overlay or (O) is a thin, protective layer.

YMCKOK
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Monochrome, Overcoat,
monochrome) Yellow, magenta and cyan are the
primary print colors for cards. The three colors
are combined in varying degrees to make a full
spectrum of colors. Monochrome or (K) is a black
resin panel, and clear overlay or (O) is a thin,
protective layer. The latter (K) is used for
monochrome printing on the back side of a
card.

YMCKOKO
Full color dual side ribbon with Black and Overlay
on front and back

YMCKUvK
(Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Monochrome, Overcoat,
monochrome) Yellow, magenta and cyan are the
primary print colors for cards. The three colors
are combined in varying degrees to make a full
spectrum of colors. Monochrome or (K) is a black
resin panel, Uv = Ultraviolet used in security
applications for ultraviolet printing of security
features. The latter (K) is used for monochrome
printing on the back side of a card.